Tag Archives: Recess

UPDATE: The Washington Post is reporting that the Defense appropriations bill, which includes the amendment to repeal “don’t ask don’t tell,” is set for a vote next Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 21. MetroWeekly reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture Friday on the Defense bill, and the Senate will vote on whether to proceed with debate at 2:15 p.m. EST on Tuesday. If there are 60 votes to proceed, debate will begin. The debate could include amendments to strike or modify the DADT repeal provision.

Both HRC and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network issued action alerts Thursday pleading with people to call and/or e-mail their senators and tell them to support a repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell,” which is expected to be voted on by the Senate next week.

It makes no difference that Texas Republican Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn are unlikely to support DADT repeal, the groups say.

“This is a 100-senator strategy, and we need your help to make it work,” Solmonese wrote.

SLDN is urging poeple to call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. The line is open 24 hours a day. Ask for your senator’s office, then say the following:

• Tell your senators to vote with Sen. Reid and Sen. Carl Levin in opposing a filibuster, or any amendment to strike “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal from the larger defense bill.
• Tell your senators that it is critical they vote and finish the Defense bill before they leave for the election recess.

You can also call Hutchison’s Dallas office at 214-361-3500 and Cornyn’s Dallas office at 972-239-1310. HRC has posted a form for e-mailing senators.